The 27-year-old left Fratton Park last week at the end of his contract and signed a two-year-deal at the Kassam Stadium yesterday.

I was already speaking to Oxford and wanted to be a part of what’s happening here

Ryan Taylor

After joining from Bristol City in January 2014, Taylor scored 16 goals in 59 appearances for the club.

His departure was one of the more disappointing for Blues fans after he struck up a profitable partnership with Matt Tubbs in the second part of the campaign.

But after discussions with new Pompey boss Paul Cook, it appears that Taylor had already made up his own mind to move on.

Taylor said: ‘Obviously, Paul Cook has his own ideas.

‘As a new manager he wants to come in and put his stamp on the team.

‘But I was already speaking to Oxford and wanted to be a part of what’s happening here.

‘They are very ambitious and I wanted to be a part of it, so I can’t wait to get going.’

Taylor struggled to get going in front of goal for the first part of the season, managing just one league goal, before he bagged his second in the 1-1 draw at Luton in December.

But he then enjoyed a purple patch of form with six goals in seven games in March, eventually ending the season with a reasonable tally of 10 in all competitions – second only to Jed Wallace.

Although he missed the final weeks of the season because of injury, he also showed his worth to the side as a link-up man and proved to be an ideal foil for Tubbs.

‘I had a few injuries at Bristol City and never really got going,’ admitted Taylor.

‘I struggled to get in the side after I got back fit.

‘I went to Portsmouth and reinvented myself. Hopefully, I can carry that on now and have a good season.’

Taylor is now anticipating a promotion challenge with his new club after being impressed playing against them for Pompey last term.

He said: ‘They were both tough games. I think the way these boys finished the season shows they’re going to be very strong next season as well.

‘There has been a few signings which I’ve seen and they look very good, so I’m ready to be a part of this team.’

Taylor now joins up with Michael Appleton after being impressed by the former Blues boss.

‘I think with the way the manager was speaking I had confidence they were going to be up there next season anyway,’ added Taylor.

‘Ever since I spoke to him I wanted to be a part of it and I can’t wait to get going now.

‘There were a couple of clubs interested, but I spoke to the manager here and liked what he was about.

‘As soon as I spoke to him I wanted to come here.’

Appleton added: ‘Ryan is another really strong addition to the squad. He works hard, scores goals, he leads the line really well and he is someone you know is going to make life very hard for opposition defenders. He was one of the best forwards in the division last season.’